For immediate release

29 April 2015

A little event to commemorate a huge undertaking: 13 June at Pentrich Village Hall from 1pm to 6pm.

After considerable organisation and the influence of a government agent provocateur on 9 June 1817 around 400 local men from Pentrich and South Wingfield decided to march with picks and scythes to Nottingham. This hunger march through Ripley, Codnor, Langley Mill and ending in Giltbrook became known as the Pentrich Revolution or Pentrich Rising.

The bicentenary of the march is 9 June 2017, and a group has been formed from local historians and community-focused individuals to raise local awareness and create commemorations that do the rising justice. The Pentrich and South Wingfield Revolution Group is working in partnership with Derbyshire County Council, Amber Valley Borough Council, Pentrich and South Wingfield Parish Council, and other local authorities along the route, along with Derby University. Local businesses have also offered their support and sponsorship.

The first event building up to the bicentenary will be held on Saturday 13 June at Pentrich Village Hall from 1pm to 6pm – around 198 years after the rising. The ‘Little Event’ will be an exhibition of relevant material complemented by children’s activities, book sales, a tombola, tea and cake, and speakers. Everyone is welcome to come along and find out about the rising and their possible connection to it.

Further events planned include short talks about the build-up to the rising, events focused on the genealogy of the revolutionaries, and walks around the area incorporating the history of the rising. We also hope to attract volunteers to help us in our endeavours. A series of paintings have been commissioned that depict certain scenes within the revolution.

To find out more contact Sylvia Mason on 01773 748299.

Notes:

• On 9 June 1817 over 300 men set out for Nottingham from villages on the Derbyshire-Nottinghamshire border.
• They thought they were part of a general rising to bring down an unjust and oppressive government. Motivated by poverty and hunger, all efforts to gain a hearing suppressed and having no vote, many saw an armed revolt as the only alternative.
• Unknown to them, government agent provocateurs, including Oliver, had encouraged the armed revolt. Rebel leaders had already been arrested and only a handful would take up arms in Huddersfield and Nottingham. The Derbyshire men were to be used as an example to others.
• Ambushed by troops, the marchers fled and many were arrested. At their trial in Derby, three, Brandreth, Ludlam and Turner, were sentenced to death, to be hanged then beheaded. Fourteen were transported to penal colonies in Australia, others imprisoned. Their families were evicted and homes destroyed.

ENDS

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